Finding Your Lost Dog in a Disaster

One of the most frightening and heartbreaking experiences a dog owner can have is losing their dog. You never expect it to happen, but when your dog slips out the front door and goes running, your worst nightmare becomes a reality. It’s all the more devastating when you lose your dog in an already difficult time, like during a natural disaster.

If you or someone you know has lost their dog in the aftermath of a hurricane, there are a few important things you can do.

• You can contact local shelters and let them know that your dog is missing. During this time, there will be a lot of displaced pets, so remember to be patient and provide as much information about your dog as you can (breed, hair/coat length and color (don’t forget special markings), size, age, and ear type (pointed, long, short, droopy).
• If your pet is microchipped and/or enrolled with AKC Reunite, you can call the Reuniters Helpline at 800-252-7894 to let them know your pet is lost and to enable an operator to confirm that your contact information is up-to-date. Also, visit the website to create a “Lost Pet Alert” (learn how to activate this service here).
• You can utilize social media. Post a photo of your dog with your contact information and share it in relevant groups created to identify and locate lost pets.
• Be persistent and don’t give up hope. Losing your dog is devastating and even more difficult during a natural disaster. Keep doing everything you can to look for your dog and we hope that he will get home to you soon.

For more tips on finding your lost dog, read our tips.